Monitoring Community-level Health for Substances of Potential Abuse & Other Health Indicators
Wastewater Surveillance
About this Initiative.
This project uses wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) to monitor SARS-CoV-2, respiratory viruses like RSV and influenza, and substances of potential abuse (SoPA) in First Nations communities in Alberta.
Through a collaborative partnership with the University of Calgary, Indigenous Services Canada, and local First Nations, the initiative gathers real-time data on community health trends and substance use, including contaminants in the illicit drug supply.
This effort combines WBS with clinical data to support public health strategies, build local capacity, and ensure that health responses are tailored to rural and remote communities' unique needs.
Click here to learn more about the Alberta wastewater testing program.
Summer 2023 Project Bulletin
Conference poster Data Sovereignty in WBS
COVID-19 Transmission Brochure
WBS for anonymized Substances of Use Patterns
Community Videos: Wastewater Surveillance with Siksika Public Works and Health
These videos introduce the wastewater-based surveillance work carried out in collaboration with Siksika Public Works, Siksika Health, and University of Calgary partners. They show how local knowledge, Public Works expertise, and community health leadership support sample collection, data interpretation, and community-level public health planning. The initiative is grounded in partnership, Indigenous data sovereignty, and the use of timely health information to support First Nations decision-making.
Part 1
Part 2
Check out our recent publication!
Our latest paper reviews the potential of wastewater surveillance to track public health trends, focusing on its implementation in rural, remote, and resource-constrained communities, with a particular focus on First Nations in Canada.
WBS provides early detection of health trends, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2, even before individuals show symptoms or undergo testing, allowing for faster public health responses.
WBS is especially valuable in areas where traditional methods, such as individual testing or clinical reporting, are difficult to implement. It’s a cost-effective tool for monitoring community health, tracking trends, and informing public health strategies, particularly in underserved regions.
Annan, J., Henderson, R., Gray, M., Clark, R.G., Sarin, C., & Black, K. (2024). A review of wastewater-based epidemiology for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in rural, remote, and resource-constrained settings internationally: Insights for implementation, research, and policy for First Nations in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(11), 1429. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111429